Julio Jones doesn’t expect to be full speed until camp

Posted by Josh Alper on June 9, 2014, 4:17 PM EDT

AP

The Falcons are waiting for wide receiver Julio Jones’ foot to heal enough for him to make a full return to the practice field, but it doesn’t sound like that is going to happen until the team gathers for training camp this summer.

Atlanta has OTAs this week and their mandatory minicamp next week, which doesn’t leave Jones much time to take part in a full practice before the offseason program comes to an end and he told SI.com that he doesn’t expect that his recovery will come to an end before that point. Jones is confident that the extended rehab time isn’t putting anything at risk come the regular season.

Jones sounded some optimistic notes about his condition. He said that he’s been running routes and that his foot “feels really good” when he plants on it while going through his workouts. He’s working on getting his stamina back up after such a long spell out of action, which is good news for an Atlanta team that will likely lean heavily on the talented receiver they missed so much last season.

I’m still hoping and waiting for Julio to live up to the hype. He was definitely on path last year to exceeding anyone’s expectations, and sounds like a good guy in interviews. I wish him the best this year and hope he has a huge bounce-back season to help silence the critics.

I don’t wish injury on anyone, but since July Jones went to ‘Bama and is a Falcon, and I’m an Auburn and Panthers fan, I’m certainly not rooting for him. Maybe JJ and DeCoud can have a “meeting of the minds” on a pass play this year and stir up some controversy. 🙂

There aren’t many game changers at his position that also aren’t complete basket cases on and off the field. He was and still is worth the trade. Just look at what Cleveland still has left from that trade.